Eugene Robinson: Slam the Door on Compromise

[marmar]

from Truthdig:



Slam the Door on Compromise
Posted on Feb 9, 2009

By Eugene Robinson


Bipartisanship is safe and effective, when used as directed. In the present circumstance, however—dire economic crisis, hardheaded Republicans, time running out—bipartisanship is doing more harm than good. President Obama and the Democratic majorities in Congress can no longer afford to let comity defeat common sense.

An additional 600,000 Americans lost their jobs last month. If the loyal opposition chooses to obstruct economic recovery, those who hold power are obliged to use it.

Begin with the most fundamental question: Does the U.S. economy desperately need a massive stimulus, or not? There are economists who doubt it’s possible for the government to effectively stimulate an economy of such size and complexity. Those economists, however, are in the minority.

The most respected economic wise men and women of both parties believe a huge stimulus is needed quickly to keep a dire economic situation from sinking into catastrophe. Even most of the Republican senators who’ve been working so hard to sabotage the Democrats’ stimulus package acknowledge that the nation needs one, just not this stimulus. Their position is either ignorant or disingenuous, and in either case has been given far more consideration than it merits.

Normally, it would be insane to spend upward of $800 billion so fast. Given the hole we’re in, however, it’s insane not to. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20090209_eugene_robinson_bipartisanship_stimulus/?ln

[boobooday]

1. Exactly. We tried. Now it's time to do what's right.

Too many people are hanging from the precipice.

[ima_sinnic]

2. how many times does he have to be told this?

this is only one of several--no, many editorials recently making the point that the time-wasting, fruitless, delusional notion of "bipartisanship" is not worth throwing the entire country under the bus for.

[Demeter]

3. Can't Compromise With Idiots or Evil People

That's where the problem lies. Compromise between equals is the social lubricant. Compromise with madmen is madness.

[Paulaguyon]

4. No compromise= no stimulus

And no stimulus=depression.

I'm going to disagree with Robinson on this one.